Is it true that Uthman ibn Affan used to order the killing of pigeons, and what was the reason for that?

Ahmad and others narrated from Al-Hasan that Uthman ibn Affan used to order the killing of dogs and the slaughter of pigeons. This is a narration that Al-Arna'oot and Al-Albani have graded as weak. Ibn Abd Al-Barr mentioned the reason for this, saying: "It was reported from Umar and Uthman, may Allah be pleased with them both, that when pigeon play and dog fighting became prevalent in Madinah, they would order the killing of dogs and the slaughter of pigeons." Pigeons are permissible to eat after ritual slaughter, by consensus.